Geologic history of Florida: major events that formed the Sunshine State

Introduction

Florida defined

Florida lost: wandering the globe and finding home (700 Ma to 200 Ma)

The big split: formation of three oceans and the establishment of the Florida basement (225 Ma to 140 Ma)

The carbonate factory cranks up: Florida being born from the sea (160 Ma to present)

An environmental crisis: drowning of the West Florida margin and development of the West Florida escarpment (100 Ma to 80 Ma)

Clash of geologic terrains: colliding with Cuba (56 Ma to 40 Ma)

Dissolution tectonics: sinkhole development (140 Ma to present)

Sands from the north: the quartz sand invasion (30 Ma to present)

Erosion in the ocean, marine fertility, and huge sharks: the Florida phosphate story (22 Ma to 5 Ma)

The finish line in sight: approaching modern Florida and the emergence of South Florida (2.5 Ma to 10 Ka)

Epilogue.